|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2008 12:46:09 GMT
I was just wondering if anyone has grown one of these on their plot, and how useful it turned out to be. There are a bewildering amount to choose from!  |
|
|
|
Post by farmersboy on Jan 18, 2008 7:43:20 GMT
Hi RM,mustard is suposed to be very good,a lot was grown on the farm where i worked,it was sowed about Aug or Sept,then ploughed in, In Oct-Nov,ready for planting in the spring.
|
|
|
|
Post by jean on Jan 18, 2008 21:56:54 GMT
RM I put in field beans as a trial last Autumn with the view to digging them in some time in Feb. IMO Autumn is the best time for green manures as they cover the bare soil in winter and can be dug in to enrich the soil before planting in Spring. I did read that after they have been dug in there has to be a gap of 2 - 3 weeks before sowing seeds. Its also good to remember that they have to fit in somewhere with crop rotation. TeeGee has some info on the almanac www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Green%20manure/Green%20manure.htmAnd there are lots more to choose from. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2008 14:42:43 GMT
I gather that the principle with green manure is to avoid having exposed patches of soil when not actively growing produce, to reduce the leaching effects of weather, so as to lock nutrients, or even increase them in certain cases. As such, there are different plants which suit the period of non-use, whether just through winter months or a season of fallow ... I have a bag of fenugreek which has not been used, never got the chance to be honest, although I believe it has people who advocate its benefits, just like any system. www.oisat.org/control_methods/cultural__practices/green_manuring.html |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Sept 3, 2008 19:22:21 GMT
Whats the general thought on this please after having a little read Mmmm me thought 1st time for everything so I've bought a packet of Green Manure - Phacelia tanacetifolia to try on the garden bit of my veg area. It was only £1.55 and I liked the look of the purple flowers ;D Baguss I thought of you with your new lottie, if those weeds are annuals like JLottie said thinks maybe you could get a crop of a Green Manure in over winter. Not sure what to suggest though as I'm new to this and only have a small veg area and some raised beds. There seems to be loads of different seeds you can get and I reckon I've read somewhere that you can plant Broad Beans as a GM , made me think could the same be done with Runner Beans  you dig the growth in after cropping don't you and I have some old seed knocking about. Have some peas too, wonder if they can be used. This has really got me thinking now as to what you can use as Green Manure over winter. |
|
|
|
Post by jean on Sept 4, 2008 20:10:53 GMT
Chuckles if you have old pea & bean seeds there is nothing to stop you sowing them to dig in, they will probably be best sown thickly to get a good ground cover. Like I said, I did field beans that did well over winter and were easy to grow in close rows. I've done mustard this year and it should really be dug in this weekend or soon after as it has begun to flower. I've also got some red clover in and its now a carpet of green  The thing to consider is crop rotation and what will follow, seeds don't germinate too well after green manure so its worth considering leaving the soil for a few weeks or planting something that has been started off in modules. I've still got a huge bag of winter tares to sow on any soil that is left bare in the next few weeks |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Sept 5, 2008 17:29:53 GMT
Thats great thanks JL. I'll bung some beans and peas in where the spuds have been then ;D still got a few in the ground that I really need to dig up first though. The Phacelia doesn't mess up crop rotation apparently so I'm ok to put that where the brassicas have been. Useful to know that about seed germination after green manure too, I normally germinate in trays/pots first anyway so I know how many plants I've got for certain. I can also protect them better that way until they are big enough to plant out. I'm liking the sound of this green manure even in a small garden like mine but it would be great for allotments with not so good soil. I read that the deep roots of Alfalfa are good for helping breakup and loosen compacted soil. GM's all suppress weeds which is a plus for me as well as helping with the soil structure and feeding the soil. I reckon it's worth looking into a bit more if anyone has bare ground and it doesn't cost a fortune either, especially if you have spare bean and pea seeds  |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Sept 28, 2008 13:16:17 GMT
I tend to recognize most of the different sorts of Green manure but twice now I have seen fields with Marigolds in, here in Germany. I know that Marigolds are often used to suppress Nematodes and have been used in this way in India for hundreds of year, but I wonder if this is what they are now being used for here. Are marigolds being planted in the UK as well and if so does anyone know the reason why? They certainly look lovely.   RF |
|
|
|
Post by jean on Oct 4, 2008 20:55:13 GMT
Thats a lovely sight RF, I haven't seen them grown like that in the UK before, I wonder if they are called tagetes here ?
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 5, 2008 8:01:36 GMT
Well we call them tagetes here and I have been asking around and no-one seems to know the reason - all agree that they look lovely though.
I have even tried to find out what was grown in the fields in the past years but I haven't had any luck there either.
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 30, 2009 7:21:05 GMT
I tried some last year, Phacelia. Unfortunately it didn't get chance to grow above about 4" before the chickens gobbled it up ;D Found this site www.greenmanure.co.uk/ and was particularly taken with the idea of growing Lupins in with Brassicas  I guess even in small veg gardens it is possible to try some sort of green manure. Anyone who has an allotment or bigger veg garden at home could try too. I'm now wishing I had more veg growing space  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on May 30, 2009 7:37:51 GMT
We grow field beans and Phacelia in the organic garden at work as green manures - some of the Phacelia has self seeded elsewhere and it's such a pretty plant! I love that field of Tagetes, RF - what a beautiful sight Some Tagetes types are grown to help suppress couch grass, they secrete something from the roots which deters it apparently, but I've never seen it grown like that here. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Jul 19, 2009 17:54:53 GMT
Thought this thread was worth bringing back into play, some useful links and tips about sowing old beans and peas in here. I'm hoping to sow some this year |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Jul 19, 2009 19:37:04 GMT
Just been reading this thread properly and now I've googled phacelia I think I am going to try a mixture of mustard and phalecia on my new allotment. I've noticed some fields round here recently that are just a sea of pale blue and now I'm wondering if that was phalecia as well. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Jul 19, 2009 21:49:59 GMT
I'll be trying some of my phalecia again this year Jasmine and I have some olds beans and peas to try like Jean suggested too I'm not 100% on this but think the fields that look like a sea of pale blue may be linseed/flaxseed, they look lovely don't they. www.geograph.org.uk/photo/442936 |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Jul 20, 2009 8:23:20 GMT
That looks like it could be it Chuckles - I guess farmers wouldn't be wasting field space with green manures (with blue flowers) now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Jul 20, 2009 10:48:20 GMT
Went a bit mad and ordered mustard, phacelia, red clover and blue lupins - it will be very colourful if it all grows ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by farmersboy on Jul 20, 2009 15:38:43 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Jul 20, 2009 15:57:36 GMT
Well, it should be a cheery looking plot by October - even if it is all going to get dug in. ;D
The linseed fields are quite eye catching.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Jul 20, 2009 18:33:54 GMT
Good for you Jasmine, I hope they all grow for you and you can post us a nice pic of it all. It'll be the most colourful allotment in the area. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Jul 20, 2009 19:33:09 GMT
It should be that LG |
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Oct 30, 2010 14:04:52 GMT
Usually I don't have the space but for various reasons this year veg plot space is available in spades so breaking the habit of a lifetime I have invested in a packet of green manure seed mixture. As has been mentioned above in previous posts, the idea is to cover exposed ground and prevent leeching and suppress weeds, and also to enrich the soil in the new year by digging in the green manure crop. Having never tried this before it will be interesting to see if it makes any difference. Likewise as it is topical, now seems to be a good time to reactivate this thread. |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 30, 2010 15:16:08 GMT
I'd forgotten about this thread. I've sown field beans this autumn - they can be sown up til November according to the packet. I'm amazed how quickly they are growing even with the lower temps and cold nights. What was in your green manure seed mix Spru? I've binned my red clover seeds after reading a few bad reports about them  |
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Oct 30, 2010 20:06:35 GMT
Well I've been thinking abour it for a few days now Jasmine and happened to spot a packet of autum sowing mix at the GC this morning. Packet breakdown is as follows:-
15% Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
20% Broadleaf Clover (Trifolium pratense)
30% Westerwolths Rye Grass (Lolium multiflorum)
35% White Tilney Mustard (Sinapsis alba)
There's no weight on the packet but on the kitchen scales it comes out as just over 4 ounces (about 120 grams) - for £2.05 from Johnsons seeds which I didn't think was too bad. I suppose I could have found a better bargain had I given it some forethought but this was just a spur of the moment decision.
I'm thinking of using it where my runner beans were if only to deter 'Poo-cat' from next door! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Oct 30, 2010 20:54:06 GMT
We grow green manures in our garden at work. Phacelia is very pretty but will seed everywhere if you're not vigilant. That's not a problem for us as it's beautiful! Try and dig it in before the stems get too tough though as it's a bu**er otherwise - really hard work! Field beans and buckwheat are pretty good - buckwheat has beautifully shaped leaves so it's an attractive one to sow. And, not a green manure as such, but chopping up comfrey leaves is a fine way to fertilise your soil too. Every vegetable garden should have a patch! |
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Oct 30, 2010 23:25:10 GMT
That's useful to know 4P - thanks. |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 31, 2010 8:20:56 GMT
Thanks 4P's. I've tried Phacelia up at the allotment and you are right...it does have pretty flowers and the stems are as tough as old boots if left ;D
Your green manure seeds sound like a good price Spru and what a good idea not to leave any bare soil for cats!
Ebay is quite a good place for green manure seeds.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Oct 31, 2010 18:16:29 GMT
I have bunged in Lupin.
It is growing away happily but the package says to cut it off when it is app 1/2 a foot tall and dig it in cutting through the roots as well.
It does not say when I am supposed to do it. Early Winter or Early Spring.
I know it is weerd to sow Lupin on clay but it has gone so dusty over the years that this deep rooting plant might just help getting some decent structure in the soil again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 31, 2010 18:21:46 GMT
I grow lupin as a green manure too Dutchy...because I think it's pretty  I'm on clay too and it certainly hasn't done it any harm! |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 31, 2010 18:22:43 GMT
Oops, forgot....I don't think it matters when you chop it down/in just as long as you leave a few weeks before you plant anything.
|
|
you dig the growth in after cropping don't you and I have some old seed knocking about. Have some peas too, wonder if they can be used. This has really got me thinking now as to what you can use as Green Manure over winter. 
The thing to consider is crop rotation and what will follow, seeds don't germinate too well after green manure so its worth considering leaving the soil for a few weeks or planting something that has been started off in modules. I've still got a huge bag of winter tares to sow on any soil that is left bare in the next few weeks 
I guess even in small veg gardens it is possible to try some sort of green manure. Anyone who has an allotment or bigger veg garden at home could try too. I'm now wishing I had more veg growing space 
I'm on clay too and it certainly hasn't done it any harm!